After finishing the football season, seniors Dean Potigian and Alex Campama joined the boys’ varsity basketball team, pushing through to earn leadership roles and carry out a memorable basketball season as they head into the CIF Central Section Division V Championship game at Selland Arena, March 4.

Potigian begins first year on varsity, combats apathy

Potigian, who came to FC his sophomore year, has stressed the importance of supporting the school by volunteering to play in sports for the betterment of the team. This proved to be the turning point in his decision to participate in basketball, a decision he says he does not regret.

“This year we just didn’t have big numbers on our team,” Potigian said. “So I was like, ‘You know what? Even if it’s not my favorite sport, I’ll still stick with it and help out the school.’ Now, I’m definitely sticking with it because I like it a lot.”

Though this is Potigian’s first year playing varsity, he embraces the challenge.

“Honestly, it’s a lot faster and more fun,” Potigian said. “I like it a lot more and it’s more competitive. Yeah, we don’t win that many games, but still, it’s definitely a lot more fun than JV.”

Although the season has brought on challenges for Potigian, his dedication to the sport and to his teammates drives him to persevere, he says.

“I must say there are some days where I don’t really want to play anymore, but there’s other days where I’m never going to quit,” Potigian said. “That’s something I’ve never done; I never will do that. Quitting’s not in me; I can’t do it. It definitely is hard, but I’m not really out here because it’s my main sport. I’m out here because I want to have fun, so I’m just going to have fun.”

Campama takes on varsity, experiences team camaraderie

Like Potigian, Campama initially had not planned to play on the team, but decided to join due to its lack of players.

“I did play last year, but I wasn’t going to play originally this year because of football,” Campama said. “I was tired and I just wanted to relax, but they needed players so I was like, ‘Forget it, I’ll play.’ So that’s kind of how I got pulled into it.”

Campama says that as a result of joining the varsity team, he has had the opportunity to be around his friends more often, which makes practices and games enjoyable.

“The best part about basketball is definitely hanging out with all my buddies at practice,” Campama said. “It’s more like a fun practice because of them. It’s serious, but at the same time you can joke around.”

Although Campama does not receive the most playing time, he still anticipates the rest of the season and what his team can accomplish as the No. 1 seed in Division V.

“We need to realize that we can’t let that [playing time] affect us,” Campama said. “We still need to have the right mindset and take it game by game, then just go from there and work hard and focus on one game at a time.”

Duo uses rivalry, antics to better team

According to head coach Josh Justin, both Potigian and Campama have assumed roles as vocal leaders throughout the season.

“As the season has progressed, Dean and Alex have stepped up into a leadership role for our team,” Justin said. “They are usually the first to speak before, during or after games. Whenever things get tough, either during a practice or a game, I can count on Dean or Alex to address the team and say what needs to be said.”

Senior captain Stephen Grimes says Potigian’s and Campama’s lighthearted attitudes have created a lively and animated atmosphere during the season.

“The season would be nothing without Dean and Alex,” Grimes said. “I wouldn’t want to play if they weren’t on the team. They make practices fun, they make games fun and they make everything enjoyable.”

During drills, Campama says that he and Potigian can become overly competitive and push each other near their limits, consequently improving their skills and determination.

“I love Dean; we just joke around pretty much all the time,” Campama said. “Sometimes in drills, though, we’ll get into it with each other, but that’s just me and him. We’re both extremely competitive people; that’s our personalities.”

Despite any ups and downs of the season, Potigian values the friendship he shares with Campama and the laughter he brings to the team.

“It is definitely sometimes a love-hate relationship, because sometimes me and him [Campama] do bash heads, but I still love the kid,” Potigian said. “The one thing he does very well is that he can always find a way to make you laugh by him screwing around, doing something he’s not supposed to do, or Coach making him run.”

The Eagles will next travel to Selland Arena to play the Tranquillity Tigers, March 4. The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

For more information on boy’s basketball, read the Boys’ basketball sport shorts, 2010-11, Part II. For more sports profiles, read the March 1 article, Senior duo reinforces varsity basketball.

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